The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-06-04

wall of masonry, two or three feet
thick and three feet high, prevents
careless teamstcrs from tumbling into
the river = half mile below.
As the mountains grew loftier the
road was really more secure, and the
artificial fountains that had been built
along the route were n delightful sur
prise to the European traveller. When
the wind was low, their feathery spray
fell like dew on the mountain-sides.
where the grecnest Of grass softened
their wild grandeur. The gigantic
walls increased in height and vastness
until about noon. when we unexpected
ly swept into the bed Of = now and
terrible amphitheatre, with mountains
rising from the post-station to an alti-
tude Of fifteen Thousand feet, and at
least eleven thousand feet above the
station, in one vast and perpendicular
wall of rock. The horses crossed the
river on n splendid iron bridge, and
halted at the station Of Kazbek.
Fresh horses were at last obtained.
and once more we resumed u way.
The ascent, though of an even and con-
sistent grade, became heavier. and
after crossing a substantial iron bridge
we began to climb the watershed that
separates Europe from Asia. The
river. the village, and the tall towers
sank into the depths of the canon. but
behind us came Kazbck. thee mnipres-
ent, seemed to rise in the heavens as
we advanced. As we went from him
he approached. The ascent 500
brought us into the region of ava
lanches, yet the road continued as
smooth as a Swiss turnpike. Innumera-
BILE ox-carts from Asia filled the pass,
boys not more than ten years old, with
mothers, fathers and children, walked
beside the patient bullocks. Strangely
fashioned yokes, such as r found in
no part of Europe, CALLED the necks Of
the poor beasts, and often, to hold
down the tongues of the loaded
carts, the boys sat on the yokes
between the oxen. apparently uncon-
scious OF danger or of the yawning
chasms beside them. The scenery as
sumed an imposing character. A gla-
cier green and CLASSY filled the world
before us, and streamed from the noun
tain-tops into the profound abyss at
our feet. The travellers were dumb,
the road disappeared. and nature as
sumed its most terrible aspect; but
presently we entered a tunnel. a&d
continued our journey directly under
the glacier. Lamps illumined the pas
sage, and we began to realize the des-
potic enterprise of Russia.
We soon passed above the line of
vegetation, and at dusk reached the
| summit of the Grand Chain. Lighted
candles, hot tea, and q warn fire made
every heart happy, and when the Off
Ger told us that we would have fresh
horses, and at midnight begin the de-
scent into Asia, we were eager with
expectation. At intervals the mist
was entirely blown away, and then
the great noon appeared, shedding
splendor over the wilderness of snow.
We were now approaching the land of
the Gcorgians, where the mountains
faced the hot plains Of Armenia, and
and the melting glaciers are mex
prcssibly beautiful. There were doubts
about the propriety Of making the de-
scent during the night, but an official
assured us that the road was broad
and we'll guarded by q heavy wall.
Always ready, the word given, and be-
fore we were fairly seated, bells jingled.
and the horses were off at the top of
their speed.
Just after leaving the station on the
summit a succession of faint distant
lights appeared in the void beneath
us. what are they-hunters' firesp'
we asked. '.It's the moon shining on
the river Aragva, fifteen versts below"
said the officer; and by straining our
eyes a ribbon of lace-like film ap-
peared and disappeared in the bot
tom of the black abyss. 1t was the
celebrated river Aragon of ancient his
tory, but its roaring waters were too far
away to be heard. Our wild midnight
ride was too exciting for doing, yet it
was not long before the strain on our
nerves produced a reaction, and sleep
soon followed. 1t continued for three
hours, but it seemed only a few minutes.
There vas a brief little dream Of falling
down strange mountains, then a sudden
awakening by yells from the driver.
The station Mleti had been reached, and
with wondering thoughts we alighted
under an arch of climbing jasmines.
The air was perfumcd with pleasing
odors, the architecture Of the houses
was picturesque, and we were in a
strange country. All the caravans had
vanished. The quaint Georgian village
OF Mleti lay in q sweet little valley at